mig problem

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Hi guys, i have a 220 solar 2175 mig welder. i got it from a garage where it has been sitting for 12 years.... when i first turned it on it would push wire and blow gas but no welding...I thought mabey bad ground, cleaned all the ground wire conections no better. tried turning it off and on, then left it on for a few and it started working but im not getting good heat. bad penitration. the wire melts but the beads just build up real high and theres no discoloration in the metal and lots of black soot....any ideas? i pulled the side covers off. dont see anything obvious, blew the inches of dust out. Im an auto mechanic so ac power is kinda fuzzy with me. i do have a mutimeter though so how do i diagnose this thing?               im running 20 cfm of argon. i know it should be argon mix but i think theres bigger problems....Thanks!
Reply:Hey Dan,There are quite a few possibilities that should be checked. First, clean the interior & get some contact cleaner & spray the heat selector switch & w/f dial & rotate them several times to free-up any residual dust/dirt that may impede a good electrical connection. Loosen the MIG connections & ground connection & insure a good bare connection & re-tighten. Be sure of continuity with the ground cable & MIG gun cable with an ohmmeter. The argon can also cause issues & either use it for aluminum or silicon-bronze wire only. Get some C25. If the problem persists, there may be a component(capacitor or ???) failure whereas you may have to take it to a repair shop for an estimate. No use spending more than the unit is worth.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Cool, im gonna take the controls apart and clean them. Im trying to diagnose and fix this my self. dropping it off somewhere will cost more than its worth.....are there any good flow sheets to see what to check on the machine?
Reply:Hey Dan,I believe the Solar units were/are made in Italy. I know a couple hobby fellows who have them & they seem to be a decent unit. Do a Google search with the make/model & you may turn up some wiring/parts print you could download.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."